Early withdrawals from 401(k) and 403(b) retirement accounts can have significant effects on a nest egg. Even borrowing against those accounts can stunt their growth. Yet a study shows that more than one out of four households dip into such accounts — sometimes emptying them out.

The study, by HelloWallet, offers an unorthodox prescription for some employees with financial problems: They should not participate in an employer’s 401(k) program until they have emergency savings.